Target.



FFTCE.

JOSEPH FINNESEY, OF HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA.

TARGET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 30, 1907.

Application filed May 1, 1907. Serial No. 371,251.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .1 osnrn FINNESEY', a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Homestead, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Targets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in targets, and more particularly to that type of target at which balls or objects are thrown, to test ones accuracy and skill at hitting an object.

The invention'has for its object to provide a novel target representing a burlesque or grotesque figure adapted to perform when the head of the figure is struck by a ball.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive target wherein novel means is employed for automatically rotating a part of the target when released, a portion of the target being normally held under tension, and released when another portion of the target is struck.

A further object of this invention is to provide a target for amusement purposes, the target being particularly designed for parks and places of amusement.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and then specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing forming part of this specification, like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a target constructed in accordance with my invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the target, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a wheel and ratchet mechanism used in connection with the target.

To put my invention into, practice, I construct my improved target of a rectangular frame or support consisting of uprights 1, a cross head 2 and a base 3, these parts of the frame being bolted together, as at 4, and braced, as at 5, to provide a strong and durable structure.

The uprights 1 of the frame or support are provided with bearings 6 for a revoluble shaft 7, the shaft being retained in the bearings by a collar 8 at one end and a flanged wheel 9 at the opposite end. The flanged wheel 9 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 7 and is provided with a cavity 10 for a ratchet wheel 11, said wheel being fixed upon the shaft 7. In the cavity 10 is mounted a spring-held dog 12 adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 11, whereby when said flcnged wheel is rotated in one direction, the ratchet wheel 11 and shaft 7 will also be rotated.

Secured to the periphery of the flanged wheel 9 is a coiled spring 14, said spring partly surrounding the wheel and having its end secured to the cross head 2 of the target frame, as at 15.

To partially rotate the flanged wheel 9 and place the spring 14 under tension, I provide the wheel 9 with an outwardly extending arm 16, and attached to the outer end of said arm is a cable 17 passing over a pulley 18, journaled in a hanger 19, carried by a bracket 20 secured to the target frame. The cable 17 extends forwardly to a position where it can be conveniently pulled by the operator of the target, to place the spring 14 under tension, and set the target to be struck by a ball.

The shaft 7 between the uprights 1 is provided with a skeleton frame 21 for a body 22 representing a burlesque or grotesque figure. The upper end of the skeleton frame 21 is provided with a pivoted yoke 23, said yoke being held in an elevated position by a coiled spring 24 secured to said yoke and the skeleton frame 21. The yoke 23 is adapted to engage a depending plate 25, carried by the cross head 2 and prevent a rearward rotation of the shaft 7 while the same is being wound or placed under tension, through the medium of the ratchet 11, and the wheel 9. The yoke 23, however, recedes when the body is released and rotates with the shaft 7.

The shaft 7 and the body 22 are temporarily held under tension by a latch 26 connected to a member 27, hinged at 28 centrally of the cross frame 2, and upon the side of said head opposite the depending plate 25. The latch 26 is normally held in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing by a coiled spring 29 passing under the member 27 and having its ends secured, as at 30, to the ends of a hinge 31 for the head 32 of the burlesque figure. The upward movement of the member 27 is limited by a stop 33 carried by said member and engaging the hinge 31 of the head 32. The outer end of the member 27 is provided with a bearing 34 for a roller 35 saidroller engaging the plate 36 of the hinge 31, when said head is struck by a ball, as will be presently described. 1

Operation. 1 will assume that the shaft 7 has been wound and is held under tension by the latch 26 engaging a plate 38 carried by the skeleton frame 21. When a ball or object strikes the front side of the head 32, the head is knocked rearwardly impinging the roller 35 and forcing the member 27 downwardly a sufficient distance to raise the end of the latch 26 and release the skeleton frame 21 of the body 22. The coiled spring 14 secured to the flanged wheel 9 gives said wheel and the ratchet 11 sulficient impetus to rotate the shaft 7 and.

body 22 a number of revolutions. The skeleton frame 21 and the body 22 finally assume a vertical position owing to the fact that the frame 21 in the lower part of the body 22 is of a greater weight than the upper part of the frame.

When the head 32 strikes the roller carried by the member 27, the retraction of the spring 29 causes the head 32 to assume a vertical position, ready to be struck by another ball. The roller 35 is adapted to reduce the friction by providing a roller bearing for the head instead of a sliding bearing, when said head is being returned to its normal position. When the latch27 re,-

ratchet wheel when the body 22 is released by the latch 26. 1

'It will be apparent from the illustration of my invention that I have devised a novel target, the body of which can be made life size and of a design as to attract attention, and afford considerable amusement as a target.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: I

1. A target consisting of a frame, a shaft journaled therein, a body fixed upon said shaft, a spring-held wheel loosely moiinted upon said shaft, a ratchet wheel within said spring-held wheel and secured to said shaft, a spring pressed dog for engagement with said ratchet wheel, a cable connecting with said wheel for winding the same, a spring-held member hinged to said frame, a stop carried by said member for limiting the movement thereof, a latch carried by said member and adapted to engage said body, a head hinged to said frame, a roller journaled upon said member and adapted to engage said head, a spring-held yoke carried by said body, and a plate adapted to be engaged by said yoke for preventing a rearward rotation of said body: 1

2. A target consisting of a frame, a shaft journaled therein, a body fixed upon said shaft, a spring-held wheel loosely mounted upon said shaft, a ratchet wheel fixed upon said shaft within said spring-held wheel and adapted to 'be rotated by said wheel, a spring-pressed dog for engagement with said ratchet wheel, a spring-held member hinged to said frame, a latch carried by said member and adapted to engage said body, a head hinged to said frame for releasing said latch, a roller journaled upon said member for returning said head to its normal position, means carried by said frame and connecting with said springheld wheel for rewinding the same, and means carried by said frame for preventing a rearward rotation of said body.

3. In a target, the combination with a frame, of a shaft journaled in said frame, a body carried by said shaft, a spring-held latch for normally holding said body in a lixed position, a head hinged to said frame for releasing said latch, and means including a spring, a ratchet wheel and a cable for placing said shaft under tension.

4. In a target, the combination with a frame, of a body rcvolubly mounted therein, a spring-held latch adapted to engage said body, a head hinged upon said frame for releasing said latch, and means carried by said frame for retaining said body under tension.

5. In a target, a support, a shaft journaled therein, a figure-body carried by said shaft, a head-piece for said body hinged to the support, means for normally maintaining the iigurebody in a fixed-position, means actuated by the head-piece when the latter is forced into engagement therewith for releasing the figure-body, and means for retating the shaft and therewith the figure-body when the latter is released.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH FINNESEY.

Witnesses II. C. Evnnrr, MAX H. Snonovrrz. 

